Question for Primary Arms users

[megsdad]

I'm going to be mounting a Primary Arms 4-14x44 scope on an Axis heavy barrel to use as a bench gun. Looks like im going to use the EGW base. Question is which rings?
Low, or Medium. Probably going to use the Primary Arms rings.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks

[BlueDog]

I have a Primary Arms 4-14x44 on my Axis, I used Warne low rings. Fits perfectly (although I used a Warne base instead of EGW). I like my scope as low as possible, in my opinion nothing looks worse than a scope towering above the action.

[Rosco]

I agree, the EGW Rail profile is a little high anyway compared to say a Weaver so low rings should work just fine.

[DrThunder88]

I use an EGW base with my PA 4-14x44mm FFP scope and have it set in UTG low rings (10mm saddle height). I could see going as low as 7mm, but I'd start to worry about bolt handle interference.

I would say that the scope might not be ideal for a bench gun. I have one one of my Axises that I've just been shooting out to 1000 yards and have noticed the wires of the crosshairs are a bit thick at max magnification. If it's going to be a heavy bench gun for small targets, I might think of using a fixed power scope. I have an SWFA 12x42mm on my magnum Axis. Its reticule is noticeably finer at the same magnification as the PA.

[Russ77]

I was looking at getting this scope for my savage. What redical did you guys go with? they have three to choose from. I'm going to be using my rifle for target shooting no hunting

[BlueDog]

Russ, I have the ACSS reticle, and I love it. At first glance it may seem a bit busy, but with 4 separate ways to instantly range your target AND have the ballistic drops right there to pick from, it's great! I also have a Pride Fowler Rapid Reticle which is right about $100 more expensive, and has a similar ranging BDC. I vastly prefer the Primary Arms scope, the reticle is intuitive and through shooting I've come to like the chevron aiming point. The reticle is also finer, which on the PFI RR I have found the thick reticle to obstruct small targets. My shooting buddy (my brother) also prefers the Primary Arms over the PFI. We hope to test the accuracy of the BDC at some longer distances, but with crops in we are struggling to find a place. Hope this helps!

[DrThunder88]

When you say "target shooting" do you mean on a square range at known distances? If you're shooting at known distance targets, I don't see the need for any ranging capability and would go with the simplest, cheapest reticule. You could go with a duplex reticule if you were okay with dialing for wind. I've never really liked BDC reticules just because they never seem to match the loads I use, which is fine but I imagine if you're shooting targets you'll want a little more control of your elevation. One of the guys at the long range school I went to was using a Horus Vision reticule, which looks like the ACSS R-Grid, and it seemed to work well for him. Dialing for elevation (and holding for windage) seemed more natural to me, which was fortunate since that worked well with the mildot model I have.

[Robinhood]

Chevron aiming point? I thought it was more like the CMR from Hi lux.

[BlueDog]

RH, some of Primary Arms ACSS aiming points are like you describe (Hilux CMR), but the ACSS DMR 308 scope has a chevron aiming point. The tip off the chevron is the 100 yard aim point and the "underneath" of the chevron is the 200 yard aim point. I can post a pic if needed.

[Robinhood]

Please do because they don't show it on their website.

[BlueDog]

This is directly from Primary Arms' site. It shows the chevron better than trying to take a pic though the scope (which I would still be happy to do if needed!)

http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u390/ThirstyDogBlue/4B8F872C-5036-4F3A-8925-4881D9EC4C6B_zpsjzg730dp.jpg (http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/ThirstyDogBlue/media/4B8F872C-5036-4F3A-8925-4881D9EC4C6B_zpsjzg730dp.jpg.html)

[Robinhood]

Thanks. With my poor eyesight I thought that was a dot. I guess with high mag on a FFP you can see it better also.

[Russ77]

I will be shooting on open land with targets at unknown ranges. I know I can just buy a laser range finder but I want to learn how to range through a scope.

[Robinhood]

Which of the three ACSS reticles do you like best. I am looking at the HUD DMR

[BlueDog]

I don't have any experience with the other reticles, but I really like my "HUD DMR/ACSS 223-308" reticle. Like I said, it's a bit busy at first glance, but within no time it becomes second nature. Some seem to discourage anything but a duplex or shun first focal planes. Whatever floats your boat I say! Known/unknown, targets or fur, who cares. I like it a lot, and I have some scopes in the safe that I've paid 3 times as much for as this PA scope. Blasphemy!

I hope to find a spot to test the accuracy of the BDC's, and lay that myth to rest next.

[Robinhood]

Waiting on your review.

[Russ77]

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_124/636005_Introduction_of_Primary_Arms_4_14FFP_ACSS__ 308__223_HUD.html

Lots of good info on the reticle
I saw there is a BDC for 55 grain. That's what I will be more than likely shooting. It gives you the drop in MOA. Would you then convert that to mills?

[Russ77]

1 mil = 3.438 MOA???

[Robinhood]

I need help with this one. Reticle in mils, drop charts in MOA and inches. What are the turrets?

[BlueDog]

Turrets are 1/10 of a MIL per click. I really can't explain why the literature sent with scope has drop in MOA's. The real question for me is why even debate it? I can assure you I don't plan on running the MILs through my handy little "MilDot Master" then run the result through the turret. Crazy! IMHO, that defeats the entire purpose of a load calculated BDC. Throw the scope up on a target, bracket it for the perceived size in the appropriate aim point and pull the trigger. This sounds great, and is reliant on the correct trajectory path.

Speaking of trajectory paths, @Russ77, the literature does have a listing for the 55 grain load from a .223, but I think they should have ommitted it as the drops are so different than the reticle (according to their data). Maybe they added it to show that it was TOO different? I'm sure you could assign your own yardages to each aim point but no way will the 55gr match up. I don't want you to be unaware, and in turn unhappy when the BDC doesn't mesh with your load. Heck, I might be unhappy when I try my 308!!!

500 Yards---------
308 (175@2600fps) = -52.60"
223 (55gr@2950fps) = -62.45"

1000 Yards---------
308 (175@2600fps) = -379.42"
223 (55gr@2950fps) = -635.11"